Edwin Clark, the convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State involving Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Governor Siminalaye Fubara.
The crisis in Rivers State has been fueled by the feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. The Rivers House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, leading to a series of political clashes and defections between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On December 18, 2023, both Fubara and Wike agreed to end the political feud following Tinubu’s intervention. However, recent actions by Wike, including provocative statements during visits to Rivers State, have raised concerns about his commitment to peace.
In a statement, Edwin Clark expressed disappointment with Wike’s continuous activities, stating that he “has not rested” and “has not shown any regard and respect for Mr. President in his actions.” Clark highlighted a specific incident on January 6, 2024, in Gokana Local Government Area, where Wike visited Hon. Victor Giadom and asserted his continued influence in the state.
Clark criticized Wike’s actions as a clear case of disobedience to the President’s authority and urged President Tinubu to sanction Wike and bring him to order. He emphasized the need for peace in Rivers State and called on the elected Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, to govern the state peacefully without interference.
The statement underscores the ongoing challenges in Rivers State despite previous agreements and interventions, indicating the persistence of political tensions in the region.
